As part of concerted efforts to promote safe agricultural practices and to improve productivity in the livestock sector, the Ekiti State Government through the State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES)Project has trained 100 livestock farmers, veterinary workers and other key stakeholders in livestock sub sector on Occupational Health and Safety Management.
Speaking at the opening of the four-day capacity building programme in Ado-Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ebenezer Ojo restated the commitment of the Ekiti State Government to ensuring that farmers in the State operate in a safe and healthy environment.
Mr. Boluwade stressed that Occupational safety is critical in the livestock sector stressing that many hazards can be avoided with the right knowledge, tools and practices.
He explained that the training reflects government’s dedication to not just improving livestock productivity but also protecting the people who drive the industry
In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe, represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dr. Odewale Tajudeen, emphasized that the training programme was a key component of the L-PRES initiative designed to enhance resilience and professionalism among livestock operators.
Mr. Adedipe stressed the State government recognizes the fact that a healthy workforce is vital to a productive livestock economy.
According to him the capacity building programme will help participants understand and mitigate occupational risks while boosting their confidence in handling livestock under safer conditions.
In his Lecture, the Lead Consultant at the training, Mr. Vincent Okonkwo,the Managing Consultant of Accentric Consulting Ltd, took participants through interactive sessions on personal protective equipment (PPE), biosecurity measures, accident prevention, waste management, and emergency response strategies in livestock settings.
He commended the Ekiti State Government and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES)Project for taking a proactive approach to farmer education, noting that the knowledge gained would significantly reduce injuries and improve animal handling practices across the state.
Participants were also introduced to modern livestock safety kits and were encouraged to adopt globally accepted health and safety protocols on their farms.
The training programme which brought together farmers, veterinary workers, and other key stakeholders from across the 16 Local Government of the state is part of a broader plan by the state government and its partners to build a more resilient, productive, and safe livestock sector in Ekiti State.